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CSV and similar files are common but awkward to work with. CSVed is a free program that allows you to edit, merge and convert these files with ease.
CSV stands for Comma Separated Values and the name pretty well says it all. Here is a typical example of a CSV data set:
asdasd@hotmail.com,bill,jones
ZXZX@yahoo.com,joe,bloggs
oiu@gmail.com,tom,smith
The comma acts as a separator between the data values however any separator could be used including a comma, colon, semi-colon, a space or a vertical bar (|).
Most users have encountered CSV files when working with spreadsheets but they are commonly encountered in other applications as well. That's because CSV files are a format recognized by many different programs and so can be used to exchange data between programs. Often they are the only way to exchange data between programs.
Although CSV files are useful as a common denominator they are a true pain to work with. CSVed is a wonderful little utility that eases that pain somewhat. Here's what it can do:
· edit, add, insert and delete items
· import
· change separator
· add, delete columns
· rearrange column order
· save selection of rows and columns
· save filtered items
· save with double quotes
· search and replace
· filter items
· remove duplicates
· append and merge files
· add prefix and suffix
· split and join columns
· export to HTML, Excel, Word, XML and more
· column search
· column sort and global sort
CSVed is such a powerful utility it takes a little while to learn and make best use of all its features. Once you do, you will be richly rewarded.
This is ultimately a specialist utility that you will need only occasionally but when you need it you will be thankful you have it available.
The good news is there is a portable version so you can just run it from the .exe file whenever you need it without cluttering up your PC. Definitely one for your toolkit.
http://csved.sjfrancke.nl/index.html (630KB for portable version)
Gizmo
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You are correct, sir. If you use .CSV files all the time - this app is a life-saver...worth paying for.
For the various commenters using full spreadsheet apps to edit CSV files: this utility is (optionally) portable, loads nearly instantly, and, rather than converting a CSV to a spreadsheet in order to work, understands exactly what you might want to be doing with a CSV and lets you do it.
If you don't know why you might need such a thing, then you probably don't need it. But if you routinely find yourself editing delimited textfiles using Notepad or similar, this little goody will change your life.
Check out TablePad. I guess it's the best of its kind! It has Unicode support. Here:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/tablepad/
All the best from Brazil.
I use OpenOffice.org
Thanks for this Gizmo. Am sorry the frequency of your articles has decreased with the merger with Windows Secrets. (Thanks for the tip for Qtpfsgui. Very good sw! :)
Excel does not deal transparently with CSV files where double quotes are used. Opening and saving these files in Excel can eliminate the double quotes (unless there is an option I have missed) - which then makes these files a pain if one has to edit them using other software that expects the double quotes.
At work I deal with CSV files from time to time, and I have found this program to be a fantastic tool for this. I set it up as the default CSV application (overriding Excel).
But what exactly does this do that Excel does not?
Once I load a CSV into Excel it is no more difficult to deal with than any other spreadsheet. The phrasing of this review baffles me.
Trouble with Excel is the 65,536 record limit and the way it treats numbers with leading zeroes and date formats.
BobN
It apparently does nothing that Excel cannot do--but many people don't have Excel, particularly in a situation where they would be using a portable device.
This utility is certainly a goldmine of value. Thanks.
Thank's for the tip. I occasionally need to work with CSV files, and they
can be a real chore to say the least. For sure this looks worth taking a
look at. By the way, the link you provided is dead, but I found it here..
http://csved.sjfrancke.nl/index.html
Thanks for that. the link is now working. - Gizmo
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